Gun buyback program annouced in Seattle/King County

Seattle mayor and King County leaders teaming with local businesses

By CASEY MCNERTHNEY, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Updated 1:03 pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Photo: Associated Press

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Seattle Deputy Police Chief Nick Metz, center, is shown on the monitor of a television video camera as he speaks Tuesday at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in January, 2013 in Seattle. Behind him, is former Seattle mayor Norm Rice, left, and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, right. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Deputy Police Chief Nick Metz, center, is shown on the monitor of a television video camera as he speaks Tuesday at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in

Aaron Williams, left, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Ty Rogers, center, corporate communications manager for Amazon.com, listen Tuesday, as former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer, right, speaks at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in January, 2013, in Seattle. Amazon, a Seattle-based online retailer, is donating $30,000 in gift cards, which will be paid to people who turn in guns during the buyback program. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Deputy Police Chief Nick Metz, center, speaks Tuesday, at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in January, 2013 in Seattle. Behind him, from left, is former

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, center, speaks Tuesday, at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in January, 2013, in Seattle. Behind him, from left, are former Seattle

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, second from right, stands Tuesday at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in January, 2013, in Seattle. At left are former Seattle mayors Charles Royer, left, and Norm Rice, second from left, and at right is King Co. Executive Dow Constantine. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, second from right, stands Tuesday at a news conference to announce a new gun buyback program that will begin later in January, 2013, in Seattle. At left are former Seattle mayors

Seattle and King County leaders announced they'll hold the first of several gun buyback sessions on Jan. 26, offering $100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles and up to $200 for firearms classified by the state as assault weapons.

"No photos will be taken, no questions will be asked," Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said of those surrendering guns.

The announcement came nearly a month after 20 children and six educators were shot to death in Newtown, Conn., and as the president and other leaders discuss what steps should be taken to prevent such tragedies.

Seattle and King County leaders hope the gun buyback will be as successful as one held in Los Angeles in late December. Officers there bought 2,037 guns, including 75 assault weapons and two anti-tank rocket launchers, the LA Times reported. In Bridgeport, Conn., a town about 25 miles from the scene of the Newtown elementary school massacre, police exchanged $22,775 for 112 guns, including about 10 assault weapons, on Dec. 29.

"I want to be clear: this is just one tool in the toolbox," McGinn said. "This isn't going to solve our problems. But one gun tragedy averted is worth it."

This is the first gun buyback in Seattle since 1992 – a year that had 60 homicides in Seattle. The 1990s, a decade that saw an increase in gang violence, was the city's most deadly. There was an all-time high of 69 homicides in 1994, nearly triple the amount in 2012.

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Norm Rice, the mayor during those years, spoke at a Tuesday morning briefing at Mount Zion Baptist Church supporting the buyback effort. He and Greg Nickels, Charles Royer and Wes Uhlman – all former mayors – are co-chairs of the program.

The first gun buyback event is scheduled for Saturday, January 26 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the parking lot underneath Interstate 5 between Cherry and James Streets in downtown Seattle. Seattle police also will be distributing trigger locks to people wanting to secure other guns safely.

The Seattle Police Department will also be distributing trigger locks for those who wish to secure their firearms safely. These will be available at each of the five precincts during normal business hours.

McGinn thanked sponsors – including Amazon, Pemco, the 5 Point Café and Big Mario's Pizza – for support of the campaign. He also said businesses or individuals who want to help should contact the Seattle Police Foundation. The Eli Lilly company also has contributed $1,500 in advertising, and McGinn said Nucor Steel has agreed to make an in-kind contribution and will melt down the guns turned in.

"The Sheriff's Office remains committed to providing a safe place for citizens to turn in guns they no longer want," Sheriff John Urquhart said. "It is a much better choice to remove an unwanted gun from your home than to leave it where it can be stolen and used in a crime."